Method and system for enabling blind or visually impaired computer users to graphically select displayed elements

Abstract

The method and system of the present invention may be utilized to enable a blind or visually impaired computer user to graphically select a displayed graphic element within a computer system display. A unique identifiable audible signal is associated with each displayed graphic element. A movable cursor element or pointer is displayed within the computer system display and a composite audible signal is periodically generated in response to the position of the movable cursor element. The composite audible signal preferably includes elements of each identifiable audible signal associated with each displayed graphic element within a predetermined radius of the location of the movable cursor element. In one embodiment of the present invention, each displayed graphic element comprises multiple picture elements and the composite audible signal includes elements of each identifiable audible signal associated with each displayed graphic element having picture elements within a rotatable sector of a circle having its origin at the movable cursor element and a radius equal to the predetermined radius.

Description

1. Technical FieldThe present invention relates in general to methods and system for enhancing the usability of computer systems by blind or visually impaired users, and more particularly to methods and systems for permitting blind or visually impaired users to use a graphical user interface. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to methods and systems for enabling a blind or visually impaired user to graphically select displayed elements in a graphical user interface.2. Description of the Related ArtIn recent years, there has been a move among computer application software developers toward graphical user interfaces. In a graphical user interface, objects are presented for users to manipulate in ways which are similar to the manner in which such objects are manipulated in the work place. Objects, such as file cabinets, folders, documents, and printers, are displayed on the computer screen as miniature graphic representations, or icons. Users then manipulate these o...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, except for an occasional "beep" or similar tone, graphical user interfaces are virtually silent and the vast majority of the information which such interfaces provide to the user is visual.

Thus, graphical user interfaces are essentially not usable by blind or severely visually impaired people.

However, presently almost none of the foregoing tools have been adapted for use with a graphical user interface.

However, while announcing various text items, either audibly or by means of a braille transducer in the mouse, such systems may provide some information to a blind user, they do not enable the user to navigate about and locate objects on the computer display screen.

However, the foregoing disclosure does not suggest a means of enabling a blind user to navigate about or locate objects on a computer display screen.

By utilizing this system, a blind or visually impaired user may locate a message box within a computer display system; however, this system fails to provide any suggestion of a manner in which a blind or visually impaired user may selectively locate multiple displayed elements within a graphical user interface.

While this system permits a blind or visually impaired user to manipulate a mouse pointer within a graphical user interface, it fails to show or suggest any technique whereby a particular one of a group of displayed graphical elements may be selected by such a user.

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